Minnesota Vikings: Christian Ponder returns to scene of his NFL debut, Soldier Field

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder calls a play in the first half as the Minnesota Vikings play the Detroit Lions at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn., on Sunday, November 11, 2012.
(Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

Nostalgia is a novelty for a second-year quarterback but Christian Ponder does have a soft spot for Soldier Field even though his NFL debut in Week 6 last year in Chicago was an otherwise forgettable night for the Vikings.

With Minnesota trailing the Bears 39-10 at the start of the fourth quarter, Ponder relieved starter Donovan McNabb. He completed nine of 17 passes for 99 yards and managed to stay upright compared to his predecessor, who was sacked five times in three quarters.

"I just remember we were getting beat pretty good and coach Frazier came up to me and said, 'We're going to put you in,' " Ponder recalled Wednesday, Nov. 21. "Real excited. I thought I played pretty well, and obviously I ended up getting the start afterwards."

Ponder specifically recalled converting a pair of third-and-10 passes to Michael Jenkins and Greg Camarillo to extend drives. The Vikings lost to fall to 1-5 -- and their season already was off the rails. But the torch had been passed to the rookie as Ponder started the final 10 games.

Twenty games later, Ponder returns with the Vikings (6-4) firmly in the playoff hunt trailing the first-place Bears and Green Bay Packers by one game in the NFC North.

"It'll be good to get back there and have a different outcome," he said.